Michael Vanthourenhout and world champion Lucinda Brand are the first prestigious winners of the cyclocross season. The two riders respectively representing Pauwels Sauzen-Altez Industriebouw and Baloise Verzekeringen-Het Poetsbureau Lions have conquered the HG Cross Dendermonde-Mosselcross, the classic opening event of the off-road calendar disputed today in Belgium.

Among the elite men, Belgian Vanthourenhout confirmed his value by controlling the competition and beating his teammates and rivals at the finish line. Yordi Corsus, his teammate, and Joran Wyseure completed an all-Belgian podium.

In the women's race, world champion Lucinda Brand imposed her dominance ahead of her compatriots Carmen Alvarado, Denise Betsema, Aniek Van Alphen and Inge Van Der Heijden. The Italian riders also performed well, with Lucia Bramati finishing in eighth place and Rebecca Gariboldi thirteenth at the finish line.

Photo credit TFoto